Nirim
Nirim Youth Village, located on the northern shore of Israel, is a residential programme for 100 vulnerable young people, aged 14–18. Many of its participants come from low socio-economic backgrounds and are the children of first-generation immigrants. Some have problems with substance abuse and have dropped out of school, sometimes as a result of domestic violence, sexual abuse or neglect. Nirim’s approach is based on helping individuals discover their unique strengths, allowing them to develop the self-confidence they need to overcome their emotional challenges and integrate into the core of Israeli society. Alongside conventional therapy and community living, wilderness therapy is key to Nirim’s approach: treks, outdoor challenges and development of survival skills as means of strengthening confidence and leadership abilities. Nirim aims to foster in its participants the motivation and self-belief to successfully tackle the next steps their lives – emphasizing finishing school and service in the IDF – and give them the best possible foundation to prosper as adults.